WOOLLEN GOODS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 April 1938, Page 6

WOOLLEN GOODS

COSTS OF FINISHED ARTICLES QUESTIONED. COMPETITION FROM SUBSTITUTES. The absence of Japanese competition and a general fear - of an outbreak of war, were factors attributed by Mr J. C. Cooper, at yesterday’s meeting of the Masterton branch of the Farmers’ Union, to the unfavourable wool market. Mr Cooper pointed out that this year Japan's wool purchases from New Zealand and Australia were down to about half of what they were last year, while next year they might even be less. One of the most serious droughts in the history of Australia, however, would considerably reduce the Commonwealth wool clip and would consequently improve matters for New Zealand growers. The uncertain outlook in the world had also had the result of tightening-up finances. The biggest factor in the wool trade to-day. Mr Cooper continued, was the cost of manufacture. The costs of manufacturing cotton and rayon goods were just as high as that of woollen, but there was no comparison between the retail prices of cotton and rayon goods. Rayon and cotton articles could be purchased in the shops for about 3s and Is a yard, respectively, but a yard of woollen material would cost not less than 14s. That was what the wool man was up against all the time. If they could only find where the money was going to somethingmight be done. Someone was making a lot out of wool. Mr J. M. James: "It is not the farmer.” Mr Cooper: "If you could get woollen goods sold over the counter at prices approximating those for cotton and rayon, and so increase the demand, there would be no fear of substitutes for wool, as they would not be required." Mr H. Bennett: "There is a middleman somewhere."